RICHARD HIBBARD has told how former Ospreys coach Scott Johnson used to confuse him by speaking in riddles.

RICHARD HIBBARD has told how former Ospreys coach Scott Johnson used to confuse him by speaking in riddles.

The Welsh international hooker was publicly criticised by Johnson, who claimed being overweight had cost Hibbard a Six Nations place.

The player responded with a series of tongue-in-cheek Twitter posts along the theme of “diary of a fat kid.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I liked Johnno,” said Hibbard ahead of his team’s Welsh derby clash with the Dragons tomorrow night, which is being billed as Shane Williams’ retirement farewell.

“But he had a good way of riddling things. You’d come out of the office and wouldn’t know what the hell he’d said.

“I was surprised (at Johnson’s comments). Johnno is good at riddling things. He would put it one way and it would be taken another.

“But the bottom line was I gave Wales an out by being heavier than I should have been.

“Johnno gave me a wake-up call by calling my bluff. I was playing every week and didn’t see it as a problem, but I wasn’t playing as well as I might have been had I been a lighter weight.

“So it was a wake-up call that worked.”

The likeable Hibbard attracted 6,000 Twitter followers with his diary. But he closed it down after losing weight and being called up to the Wales squad for the clash with England two months ago by national coach Warren Gatland.

“I think I have the balance now. I’m down to the weight where the Ospreys are happy and Wales are happy, and I seem to be playing all right,” said the 28-year-old powerhouse.

“It does make a big difference in that you can do one or two more things in a game. In that respect, Johnno’s slap worked.

“It’s not just about being able to keep going for the full 80 minutes, it’s about being able to do more over the full 80, whether it be an extra two ball carries or an extra three tackles.

The reign of former Wales and Australia skills guru Johnson was brought to an early end following the heavy defeat at French club Biarritz in the Heineken Cup.

The Ospreys have since turned their fortunes around under the relaxed but no-nonsense reign of Johnson’s successor Steve Tandy and are favourites to finish second in the RaboDirect Pro12 behind unassailable leaders Leinster and secure a home semi-final in the top four title play-offs.

Hibbard has been shining in an impressive pack to put his hand up for selection for Wales’ tour to Australia in June.

He added: “The Ospreys front five have been going well, but the key is the whole pack working together. Our back row are working at every scrum and it’s paying off.

“If a scrummaging contest is allowed to happen, we are able to show what we can do in that area. Our scrum is going well.

“My ambitions are to land a home semi and then reach the final in the Pro12. Hopefully, then, a short summer holiday, but it could possibly be long, I don’t know!”

Ospreys were crowned league champions two years ago with a sensational victory over Leinster in Dublin.

And Hibbard reckons they can become the first team to clinch a fourth title in the competition, having completed the feat in 2010, 2007 and 2005.

“I think so,” said the 15-times capped Wales forward. “We’ve found some form over the past few games.

“There again, we haven’t been playing badly this season, doubling Munster and Leinster – and everyone knows how well they are playing.

“Everyone judges you on Europe, but there are fine margins. Looking back, it was there for the taking, but it was down to ourselves we went out at the pool stage.

“Towards the middle of the season everything was up in the air.

“There were disruptions, with boys going, coaches going, the salary cap coming in – the boys were nervous.

“But everyone’s settled now. We have a good core squad and people are happy.”

“Other regions are going through what we went through a while back. We’ve had our laundry aired.”

And he’s been impressed by the straight-talking methods of his former team-mate Tandy since the former flanker took over the coaching reins.

“Everyone likes Steve. He’s doing a good job and the boys are playing for him,” said Hibbard. “He doesn’t give you any bull. If he has something to tell you, he will tell you.

“That’s a good thing. We need that. If you have a nightmare game he’s going to tell you: ‘Buck your ideas up or you’re not starting’.”

Ospreys continue their Pro12 title bid against the Dragons at the Liberty Stadium.

“They’re our Achilles heel, home and away. They seem to raise their game double against us and seem to good results,” said Hibbard.

“Knowing that is good because it means we can’t take this game lightheartedly.

“We need a result. We are going for the play-offs and it’s all in our hands. Hopefully, we can do it Friday.

“Their strong points? They are a team. They live together, fight together and it shows in their play.”

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